Iowa Inheritance: Plan an Estate or Settle One

Iowa has not adopted the Uniform Probate Code, has not enacted the Uniform Trust CodeIowa Code § 633A.1101 et seq. (Iowa Trust Code)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and has adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney ActIowa Code § 633B.105Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.

Probate of a simple estate in Iowa runs 6 months to 9 months; an average estate takes 9 months to 15 months. The court filing fee is $215Iowa Code § 602.8105(1)(a); 2026 Iowa Acts, ch. 1192, § 24, 27, 28Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; attorney fees are reasonable compensation capped by a statutory scheduleIowa Code § 633.198 ("such reasonable fee as may be determined by the court...but not in excess of the schedule of fees provided in this part for personal representatives" — § 633.197 ceiling: 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. On a $500,000 estate the estimated total comes to $21,555Iowa Code § 633.198 ("such reasonable fee as may be determined by the court...but not in excess of the schedule of fees provided in this part for personal representatives" — § 633.197 ceiling: 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. The personal representative must post a bondIowa Code § 633.169Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which the will may waiveIowa Code § 633.169Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

Certified death certificates come from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health StatisticsIowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source at $20Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source a copy. Processing time: 4 to 6 weeksIowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Once appointed, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysIowa Code §§ 633.361, 633.364, 633.365 (§ 633.361 as amended by 2026 Acts, HF 2532, § 4)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment and publishes the notice to creditors for 2Iowa Code §§ 633.230, 633.304, 633.410, 633.413, 633.425, 633.442Verified Oct 18, 2026View source consecutive weeks.

A surviving spouse left out of the will can elect to take a statutory share insteadIowa Code §§ 633.236, 633.237, 633.238, 633.239, 633.240, 633.241; § 561.12Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. Property left to a minor under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act is released at 21 yearsIowa Code § 565B.20Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of age. Iowa taxes incomeIowa Code § 422.5(1)(a)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source at a flat 3.8%Iowa Code § 422.5(1)(a)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source. An heir's capital gains on inherited assets: ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesIowa Code (2026) § 422.5(1)(a) — flat 3.8% individual rateVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.